Maxine Starkey

Maxine Elsie Starkey was born on November 8, 1922 on the family farm in Rawlins County, Kansas to Peter T. and Mary F. Nelson. She had two older siblings, Orvis and Zelma. Shortly thereafter the family of five welcomed a new brother, Dale. This brother became a favorite playmate of Maxine’s.

Maxine took care of her mother for a year after she graduated high school. She then taught school for a year at a one room country school. She went one year to Ft Hays; then returned and taught school in Gem, KS for three years to earn enough money to complete college. She finished her final three years in college and graduated from Ft. Hays State with double English and History majors.

Maxine met her husband Clifton at Ft. Hays. They married on December 26, 1948 at the Colby Presbyterian Church in Colby, KS. They both taught school in Liberal KS for two years.

The couple purchased a farm in 1951 south of Brewster, KS. They welcomed four children, Lynda, Allen, Leann, and Galen. The family was extremely involved at the Brewster United Methodist Church where Maxine taught Sunday School and was active in the women’s group.

Maxine passed away at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, KS on June 6, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and son Allen. She is survived by three children, Lynda, Leann and Galen; a son-in-law, John Carter; and two granddaughters, Rachel and Reillee. She is also survived by many relatives and loving friends.

The family will receive friends starting at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2022, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, then process to Beulah Cemetery, Colby, for a Graveside Service at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or to leave online condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com